You likely already know that nicotine is a toxic, addictive, dangerous substance. That may be why you started looking at zero nicotine vaping in the first place.
What many people who get into vaping using vape devices that take traditional freebase nicotine liquids is this: while vaping may potentially be safer than smoking cigarettes, it’s not necessarily good – especially if the vape liquid still contains nicotine.
So some smokers and vapers have been turning to no-nicotine vapes in order to continue enjoying the vaping experience – but is nicotine the only potentially harmful additive lurking in vape juices?
Let’s take a look at some other ingredients you should avoid in vape juices.
Ingredients to Avoid in Zero Nicotine Vapes
- Diketones: That’s di-ketones, not dike-tones. These are a special class of flavoring agents that have often been used in vape juices. However, though they add a creamy, buttery flavor and texture, they’re not good news for vapers. Diketones are often used to flavor foods, but can be dangerous when atomized and inhaled – such as in vape juices.
Diketones have been implicated in the formation of a specific type of respiratory malady known as “bronchiolitis obliterans,” otherwise known as “popcorn lung.” This progressive disease results in scarring of the bronchioles, which can result in chest pain and difficulty breathing, among other more serious complications.
Chemicals that constitute the diketone class include diacetyl, acetyl, propionyl, and acetoin. If you see these in a vape juice blend, choose a different one.
- Titanium dioxide: Titanium dioxide is sometimes present in vape juices, but this is another ingredient to avoid. Small particles of titanium dioxide are toxic to your body’s systems when inhaled.
Where present in vape juices, titanium dioxide can cause a variety of complications to a vaper. The compound is an inflammatory agent, can elevate levels of oxidative stress in the body’s cells, and it may even be carcinogenic. Avoid it.
- Heavy metals: In some instances, heavy metals such as chrome and nickel may be present in vape juices. These are definitely among the top vape juice additives to avoid.
Both chrome and nickel (along with other heavy metals such as cadmium) can cause respiratory distress when inhaled and may be implicated in the development of lung cancer. These metals can be toxic when introduced to other internal systems as well.
- Vitamin E acetate: Vitamin E acetate is sometimes included in vape juices but has been strongly linked to the development of EVALI (e-cigarette and vaping-product use associated lung injury) by the CDC.
It is believed that these harmful effects arise as a result of the interaction between vitamin E acetate and the lungs’ pulmonary surfactant (PS) layer. Because vitamin E acetate is attracted to lipid molecules (which compose the PS layer) it has been proposed that vitamin E acetate can change the lungs’ surface tension, complicating gas exchange, and resulting in difficulty breathing and more serious complications.
- Formaldehyde: This potent preservative is sometimes present in vape juices and has been demonstrated to possess carcinogenic properties.
- Diethylene glycol: Do not confuse this with propylene glycol, which is one of the two main constituents of most vape juices (the other being vegetable glycerin) which allow them to vaporize on contact with heat.
Diethylene glycol is a clear, odorless liquid that is sometimes present in antifreeze (as well as a base in vape juice). Unfortunately, diethylene glycol is toxic and causes lung damage.
- Acrolein: This is commonly included in weed killers, so it’s surprising that you’d find it in vape juices that are meant to be inhaled – yet sometimes you do.
It is a potent toxin that can cause irreversible lung damage. Avoid it.
- Benzoic acid: Benzoic acid is a risky ingredient in vape juices because when it is heated under high power, it can accelerate the formation of benzene.
You may recognize benzene as one of the harmful components of tobacco smoke that makes cigarettes so dangerous. Benzene is also present in gasoline and car exhaust.
It should go without saying that this is another chemical you should avoid in vape juices.
Cyclone Pods Does Zero Nicotine Vapes – the Right Way
Ready to learn more about what makes a better zero-nicotine vape that’s superior by design?
Check out Cyclone Pods online at CyclonePods.com.
They offer three nicotine-free disposable devices (the Gust, Gust Plus, and Gust Super) as well as a rechargeable, refillable, nicotine-free vape that accepts pre-filled pods, the Thunder.
All four of these devices use 0 nicotine vape juice that contains no diacetyl or vitamin E acetate. In fact, their vape juices contain nothing except propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and some natural and artificial flavors – and that’s it.
Not only does that mean they’re made without many of the harmful ingredients commonly associated with vape products – it means that there’s more room in the blend for PG, VG, and flavors.
The result? Vape juices that produce massive clouds that are packed with flavor.
Experience the difference for yourself via the link above.